WATCHET Museum has reopened its doors to the public following a major refurbishment during the closed winter season.

The ribbon was cut to unveil the results of the £6,000 makeover by local Somerset county councillor Anthony Trollope-Bellew, who helped secure £600 from the authority's Community Chest fund towards the cost of the project.

The museum's committee, stewards and members gathered for the official ceremony on Good Friday.

Chairman and curator Jim Nicholas said the committee had worked extremely hard and achieved much during the winter months.

The outstanding feature was the change and updating of the displays in the two south-facing windows, which included two paintings by local artist Darren Scott.

The refurbishment has also seen the lighting updated, new frames for existing photographs and exhibits and the revamping of more than 550 photographs and captions.

The museum has also acquired another marine painting by local artist Thomas Chidgey.

Cllr Trollope-Bellew was thanked for his help in securing funding for the work and, in return, he said he could see that the money had been wisely spent.

The museum, which is looking for new stewards, will be open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm until the end of October.

More information is available on its website http://www.watchetmuseum.co.uk">www.watchetmuseum.co.uk.

Pictured from the left are Jim Nicholas, Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Darren Scott and museum secretary Sue Upstone.

Photo: Steve Guscott